Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Poem analysis: “This too shall pass” by Helen Steiner Rice



This Too Shall Pass

If I can endure for this minute
Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is
Or how dark the moment may be-

If I can remain calm and quiet
With all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me
When everyone else seems to doubt me-

If I can but keep on believing
What I know in my heart to be true,
That darkness will fade with the morning
And that this will pass away, too-

Then nothing in life can defeat me
For as long as this knowledge remains
I can suffer whatever is happening
For I know God will break all of the chains

That are binding me tight in the darkness
And trying to fill me with fear-
For there is no night without dawning
And I know that my morning is near.


This poem is a very empowering poem. When reading it you can hear the tone of strength, assurance and calmness that the poetic voice takes in your mind. This sense of power is also a consequence of the author's use of imagery, this is the use of sensory language that creates a vivid impression. In this poem it is mostly viewed  by the use of the word “darkness” to describe the scenery and the descriptions she uses to tell the reader how she feels that her body is  physically being held back from success and happiness. The author uses free verse to communicate that against all odds and with god's help she will succeed. She ends the poem by telling  us that hard times are just like the night, it only lasts a few hours, it's not eternal and it always passes by.

8 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  2. When I first found this poem it was shorter but I have used it as my turning point that brings me back to finding the shinny bits of life and giving them a polish.
    Thank you I think I will share this with my year 12 students as they prepare for trials

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  3. Why couldn't the God word be replaced by i. e. Quote:"secure in the knowledge that my family love me". Unquote?

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  4. ....Cause no one can replace God.

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  5. Why was my comment removed?
    dianne11ma@gmail.com

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  6. I have been
    searching for this poem. I get so emotional.

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